RAM upgrade won't work properly - HELP!

We have 2 identical Packard Bell MV35-202's. They came with 1GB (512 x 2) and we have got the ram to upgrade to 2GB (1GB x 2) which is the maximum they will apparently take. They are the correct frequency etc for these laptops (triple checked).

Problem is, they will not take the 2GB. They will take 1GB and one of the old 512's and run fine, but they will not take both new 1GB strips - keeps crashing just after Windows starts to load (XP).

Any ideas? We're kinda stuck.

Many thanks

 

Try starting up XP by testing out the slots with the new sticks one by one.
If it works, and turns out the laptop will take both sticks separately (that 1gb is only installed at a time) then there is a possibility you need to upgrade the bios for your laptop.

Most of the time, it's the bios that limits the RAM capacity (although there is also a possibility that one the ram sticks is faulty), so it needs to be updated in order to receive what it was supposed to.

 

Have you tried upgrading the BIOS to the latest revision?
Usually Bios updates come out like every 6 months after a laptop is released, so check on packard bell's website and see if they have a later Bios revision. Install the latest bios and than try again, it should work fine.

K-TRON

 

All RAM is working ok. Tried updating the BIOS from the newest one available on the Packard Bell site, still no joy. Keeps blue screening now.

We updated the KBC Bios as well, is this right?

My blue screen saying:

Problem caused by: fltmgr.sys

fltmgr.sys - Address BA6BF779 base at BA6B4000, Datestamp 480251da

Tried this all on both laptops. Other one just closes Windows and does memory dump. Back on 1 and a half GB again and working, don't know why it won't take the 2GB.

 

Been Googling the fault msg, could it be something to do with Norton being pre-installed? We removed it and have other anti-virus running, but all the pre-installed programs seem to have bits hidden all over the harddrive that we haven't found. Also been onto Symantec's site to download their removal tool to get rid of all the crap that they've welded onto the hd, but can't because I don't have the product key (these are both second hand).

Don't know if any of this helps.

 

Ran the Norton Removal Tool and I still get BSOD, but now saying the problem is the ntfs.sys file. Would it help if I kicked it? LOL

 

The software on the harddrive makes no difference on whether the memory is recognized or not. The amount of memory the system can see if completely dependent upon the BIOS. Since you already have the latest revision installed it must only support 1.5Gb of memory for some odd reason.

Kicking it will only generate more problems

K-TRON

 

k, thanks for the advice. Will contact Packard Bell see why it might be doing this.

 

Hi this is an amazing coincidence as I am experiencing the exact same issues with the exact same laptop! I upgraded my girlfriends laptop a few days ago, using 2x1gig sticks and recieve bsod on boot up, sometimes straight away and sometimes after I log in. Its fine running with either stick in either memory slot on the mother board, which confuses the hell out of me. I have also gone through the same motions as yourself. Ive updated the bios and tried all sorts, but it still does not like using the 2 sticks together. Please if you find a solution could you post it here as it might help with my issues also.

Cheers.

 

I am waiting on PB Support getting back to me on it now, although I have been advised not to hold my breath! I posted this problem on the PB Users forum also, no ideas how to fix it, but someone else is having the problem too.

I will post a reply as soon as I get one.